What motivates a man to use his “free” time taking on the burden of being an elder or leader in the church? I am not talking about a full-time elder or the professional pastor but one who works 40-50 hours in a job to support himself and his family, and then after family responsibilities, logs hours studying the Word, visiting the sick, attending meetings, wrestling with false doctrine, encouraging the saints, planning, praying, and then more meetings.
When others use all their “free” time playing golf, fishing, watching television, or working extra hours to have more money to spend on their recreation, the elder falls into bed exhausted in needing rest and recuperation. Why does he do it?
Maybe he is absolutely crazy, has a martyr complex, is driven by guilt, is running from family responsibilities, is on a power trip, or is looking for human accolades and significance. Maybe he does it because “someone has to do it,” a sort of resignation to obligation. Maybe the prospect of a reward gurgles just below the surface.
I suspect there are many, though, who serve as elders for a much more profound reason, something other than self-focused reasons. Listen in as the elder-apostle-statesman Peter inspires the scattered leaders among God’s people:
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1–4 NASB)
Note how Peter couches his admonitions with the following motivational truths:
- Being elder puts a man in high company—along with the apostle Paul.
- Peter speaks as a witness of the sufferings of Christ. Paul desired to glimpse this when he wrote that he wanted know “the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Phil. 3:10). The sacrifice elders make is simply an extension of the committed desire to know Christ.
- The sacrifice of suffering is associated with glory (not “vain” glory). There is, in the words of C.S. Lewis, a camaraderie of suffering that only those who go through suffering understand. “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison …” (2 Cor. 4:17). This is not so much a reward as it is a promise, and it motives all Christians toward sacrifice, especially elders. The runner who runs hard on a hot day enjoys the cup of cold water more than the one who does not run and stays in the air-conditioned room. The crown of glory is exceedingly refreshing to all those who sacrifice and suffer for the Lord and his people.
- An elder serves at the will of God. That is motivating in itself. He does it because it is his assignment as one committed to “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Rom. 12:1). Were the committed person not an elder, he would willing sacrifice for other areas of ministry.
- An elder is motivated to be a model of Christian life, maturity, and service. He desires others to serve wholeheartedly, sacrificially—and so he leads the way by example.
- Christ is coming back, the Chief Shepherd. What a glorious day that will be. At that time, the elder will receive the crown of glory. While there may be the suggestion of personal benefit in this reward, it is more to be seen as a promise of relationship. The motivational power of this is not in the enjoyment of something earned, but a sharing in Christ’s glory then, because of the sharing in His suffering now.
The motivational power overriding all of this is the compelling love of Christ (see 1 Cor. 5:14 NIV). He “purchased” the church “with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). His love for his people compels us to love them as well. Why?
Because of the most basic truth of Christianity: we love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). Overwhelming, unremitting, eternal, untarnished, continuing, forever. How can we be anything but constrained, compelled, motivated to love his people by shepherding them at great cost to ourselves. It is a small thank you to the One who gave his life for me.
That is motivation!